Culture, Nature and Beach Vacation in Krabi

Activities: Bustour, Biking, Traintrip, National Park, Nature, Culture, Boattrip, Island(s) Trip, Snorkeling

Culture, Nature and Beach Vacation at Railay Beach and Krabi – T-003

This 16 day tour leaves Bangkok weekly on Sunday and Wednesday. (Please make sure your ticket has you arriving in Bangkok either Saturday or Tuesday.)

This tour will combine adventure, nature and a relaxing beach vacation in the south of Thailand. We begin our tour in Bangkok, also known as ‘The City of Angels’. This very modern and cosmopolitan city has nevertheless managed to preserve its history and culture through the maintenance of temples, museums and monuments. We will travel to the River Kwai to visit the famous bridge and enjoy the natural beauty of this province. After arriving back in Bangkok we will take the airconditioned night train, complete with sleeping cabin, and travel south to spend a couple of nights in Khao Sok National park with a beach vacation in Railay Bay and Krabi with a visit to Phi Phi Island.

Transportation during this tour will be on a comfortable, air-conditioned, minibus and from Bangkok to Surathan via an air-conditioned night train, (should the train be fully booked, we will travel by a VIP, air-conditioned, night bus). A boat will transport us to and from Railay Bay in Krabi. When it is time to return to Bangkok, we will board a comfortable, air-conditioned VIP night bus for the journey back.

Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok and Transfer To Your Hotel.

You will arrive in Thailand via Suvarnabhumi Airport. Our driver will be waiting at the arrival hall holding a sign with your name on it. He will take you directly to your hotel. The rest of the day you are free to relax and recuperate from your flight and explore your new surroundings.

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Day 2: Bangkok Cycling Tour

Today we take a city cycling tour. We begin our adventure by exploring the small side streets of China Town which, outside of mainland China, is the largest China Town in the world. Along the way we will have time to visit Chinese temples, altars, stores, work locations, markets, and numerous eating stands. The mouthwatering aroma of a wide variety of foods, the colorful markets, the scents of candles, incense sticks and spices will flood and delight your senses! After a pleasant visit to China Town we arrive at the Chao Phraya River, also known as ‘The River Of Kings’. This river flows through the heart of Bangkok and is an important artery for transporting people and goods. You will observe long tail boats, pleasure crafts, barges and freight traffic, as well as river buses transporting people to different parts of the city. The river is a bustling place, pulsing with the daily rhythm of life, and it is fun to watch and take it all in. We will dismount our bikes and travel further via long tail boat. This boat will take us to some of the canals (klongs) in and around Bangkok. You will have a unique opportunity to observe Thai famiies in homes that have stood here for centuries. The old way of life is preserved along these klongs and watching Thai citizens go about their daily business is interesting and informative. Feel free to wave a greeting as you pass by, Thai people are friendly and welcome visitors. After some time, we will disembark from the boats and continue our bike journey though rice fields and fruit plantations, giving us a close look at ancient farming methods still used by Thai farmers today.

*We stop for a delicious Thai lunch, which is included in today’s tour.*

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Day 3: Bangkok Free Day.

Today you are free to explore this fascinating city. A nice option might be a temple tour of the city culminating in a visit to the Grand Palace. In the evening we have a couple nice options, dinner on top of the Bayioke Sky Hotel is very popular, we eat on the 76th. Or 78th. Floor with a roof top view on the 84th. Floor. A fantastic view of the nightline from Bangkok. Not to miss is he Siam Niaramit show in the largest theater in the world. This extravagant light and sound show, with dinner, is not to miss. We would be happy to book these tours, or another, for you.

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Day 4: Kanchanaburi

After an early breakfast, our driver will meet you at your hotel. Our first stop will be the famous floating market, Damnoen Saduak, in the province of Rachaburi, which is approximately 90 kilometers south of Bangkok. After parking our minibus, we will reach the floating market by boarding a long tail boat and enjoying a 30 minute trip through canals and rice fields, observing Thai families and farmers going about their daily life. At the Floating Market you will have the opportunity to board a local boat and experience shopping right from your boat; a unique experience! Goods available are fruits, souvenirs, clothing, spices and more, all from the side of your boat. If you chose to stay on dry land, you will find a busy market with similar goods for sale. Do consider trying some typical local foods, cooked right for you by a vendor on her boat. You will certainly find something to satisfy your taste buds, be it noodle soup, coconut pancakes or a variety of local fruit which may be new to you.

After this unique shopping experience we travel on to Kanchanaburi to visit the Bridge made famous by the film ‘Bridge Over The River Kwai’. We include a visit to the cemetery and war museum to get a sense of the atrocities committed here when the Japanese used prisoners of war and local Thai forced laborers to build a railway from Bangkok to Myanmar (Birma), a total distance of 415 Km. A visit to Wat Wang Pho Krasea is a must. This cave temple houses many Buddhist and Hindu statues. During the war the Japanese used this cave for storage. After our visit here we are off to our accommodation where you can choose to relax or enjoy a swim in the fabulous pool. *Dinner tonight is inclusive.*

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Day 5: Kanchanaburi and Hell Fire Pass .

After breakfast your guide will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the Hell Fire Pass. This museum, built and funded by Australia, houses a collection of pictures, paintings and drawings made by the prisoners of war. A film will give you insight into the horrible conditions and abuses which the Japanese used on the prisoners. Your tour guide will lead you into the ravine where you will take in the 110 meter long, 17 Meters deep and 5 meter wide passage which was hand carved out of the mountain using only chisels, sweat and blood. You will find the remains of original sleepers of the rail bed under foot. In the evening this construction site was lit up with oil lamps, this is the reason it is called ‘Hell Fire Pass’. *Lunch in the area of the train station of Ban Nam Tok is included.*

After lunch we embark on a local train to the area of Thakien. This local route through the natural beauty of Kanchanaburi makes use of the original rail bed laid by prisoners of war which has survived to this day. A highlight of our train journey occurs when we pass over a wooden viaduct on the side of the River Kwai. This viaduct was constructed by hand during the building of the railroad, and many prisoners of war lost their lives in its construction. It is estimated that the casualty rate on building the entire railway was so high, every sleeper on the railroad represents one life lost. Approximately 180.000 people lost their lives to build the railway and about 12.600 prisoners of war.

We return to our hotel where you can enjoy free time to relax and reflect. *Dinner is not inclusive tonight.*

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Day 6: Erawan Waterfalls and the Srinakarin Dam.

After Breakfast your guide will pick you up and take you, via a scenic country road, to the Erawan National Park to visit the most famous waterfalls in the country. The Erawan National Park falls boast a total of 7 individual levels of waterfalls, and you are invited to visit as many levels as you wish. All levels provide spectacular views of the falls and the surrounding flora and fauna. You could take a swim in the clear and clean water under the falls, or swim right into and behind the curtains of falling water. The pools of water are home to numerous algae eaters (small fish) that will attach to your skin and will give you a tickling sensation. This is not dangerous and many massage parlors in Bangkok use these fish in their massage services.

Leaving Erawan National Park, we visit the Srinakarin Dam. We will eat our lunch here, which is included in the tour. After enjoying our lunch, we head back to Bangkok, if time permitting we will stop at Nakorn Pathom along the way to visit the world’s largest Chedi.

Upon arrival in Bangkok we will take the night train to Surat Thani.

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Day 7: Khao Sok Jungle Safari

Upon arrival at the Surat Thani train station, our driver will be waiting for you and take you to ‘The Cliff and River Jungle Resort’ in Khao Sok National park to start your safari. After lunch, we have planned a tubing adventure for you! Together with your guide you will be taken to the river for a wonderful and invigorating, yet also peaceful, tubing experience. *Dinner in the resort is included.*

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Day 8: Khao Sok

Your resort offers a couple of nice day trips and their staff will be happy to explain these trips and book them for you. Another option is to relax by the swimming pool situated in the middle of the jungle. *Lunch and dinner today are on your own and not included in tour.*

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Day 9: Railay Bay

After breakfast your transfer is waiting to take you destination via minibus and boat to your next destination, Railay Bay, Krabi. The rest of the day is unplanned so you can enjoy one of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

*meals not included today*

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Day 10: Railay Bay

Continue to relax and enjoy Railay Bay, famous for its natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere.

*meals not included today*

Day 11: Krabi

Today you will transfer via long tail boat to Krabi. Take the rest of the day to relax on its beautiful beaches.

*meals not included today*

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Day 12: Krabi, Phi Phi Island

After breakfast our guide will meet you at your hotel and drive you to the boat pier for your day trip to the world famous Phi Phi Island. After arriving at the boat pier, we embark on the boat to Phi Phi Island where you arrive around 10:30am and you have free time to look around. After lunch on the Island, we board the boat to go to Phi Phi Ley where you will enjoy sightseeing. Enjoy Maya Bay, Loh Sama Bay, Plieh Bay and the Viking cave, which is famous in Thailand for its bird nests and the unbelievable method by which these get harvested from the side of the cliff. Next is an opportunity to go snorkeling in the clear blue waters of . *Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included.*

You will have plenty of time to enjoy the white sands of the beach area. Back on board your boat, you will be served, coffee, tea or a cold nonalcoholic drink, as well as snacks and fruit. Around 17:00pm we arrive at the boat pier where your transfer back to the hotel is waiting for you.

*Today lunch is included.*

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Day 13: Krabi

Free day to enjoy Krabi.

Day 14: Krabi Bus to Bangkok

After breakfast enjoy free time until your transfer to the local bus station in Krabi for your VIP, airconditioned, night sleeping bus back to Bangkok.

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Day 15: Bangkok

*Please note: Upon arrival in Bangkol, transfer to hotel is not included.*

Enjoy one extra free day in Bangkok.

Day 16: Bangkok and transfer to Suvarnabhumi Airport

Today the driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok for the return flight to your destination.

Note:

Almost all of the hotels in Thailand have a policy of check in time of 13:00 and check out 12:00

Extension of your stay in Krabi is possible, please send us your requirements. Upgrade for your hotel in Railay Bay and Krabi is also possible.

If you choose to fly from Krabi to Bangkok, the costs are based on availability of the flight, one extra night in Krabi or Bangkok, and a refund for the bus ticket not used. We are happy to make these arrangements for you and to calculate the added cost minus the bus ticket. Contact us for more information if you would like to discuss this option.

Depending on local conditions, weather, road condition etc. the routes and/or hotels might need to be changed. We reserve the right to make these changes if deemed necessary. If a hotel needs to be changes we will substitute with a hotel in the same class. The safety and comfort of our clustomers, as well as the intention and integrity of the tour, will always be maintained to the best of our ability.

 

Included in the tour

All meals, entrance fees and transfers as described in tour program. Excursions as described are accompanied by a professional, English speaking tour guide. Transportation is by air-conditioned minibus, 2nd class air-conditioned day train, 2nd class air-conditioned day bus and VIP air-conditioned night sleeper bus, as well as local long tail boats. Should the train be fully booked, we would take a day bus. Accomodation is in good, tourist class hotels, daily breakfast included. Every guest room has its own, private bathroom.

Excluded in the tour

Meals, transfers and flights, not mentioned in the program. Personal expenses, visa costs, baggage handling and optional excursions. We encourage all of our clients to have travel, medical, cancellation and other insurance before leaving their home country.

Peak season surcharges or Compulsory Dinners, these have to be calculated per tour.